Nothing Screams "Japan" Like Fake Food!

In a follow-up to my post from way back in February 2011 titled "Japanese Novelty: Food Sample Art a.k.a. Fake Food", I've since decided to dive in head first into the fake food industry per an insightful recommendation from a friend.  And what a ride its been!  After more than a year of planning, we were finally able to bring the online shop to a reality when Fake Food Japan was born to the online world in May 2012.

In just these short few months, we've taken orders from Europe, the Americas, Oceania, SE Asia and of course Japan.  Everything from cell phone straps to business card cases to life-size replicas has passed through our doors before heading out to its final destination.

And to top it off, the feedback we've received from customers has been great.  The most common comment we receive is in relation to how realistic the fake food actually looks.  I wonder if I should change the name to "Looks so real I can't believe it's fake food!".  :)

I guess we are changing people's perceptions of fake food so that's definitely a step in the right direction.  Leave it to Osaka's true fake food craftsmen for creating these fake food masterpieces like none other.

As the holiday season is just around the corner, how about picking up some memorable (and handmade by the way) and unique Japanese gift items for your family and friends?

If you want to surprise them with something "different" this year, you can't go wrong with fake food!

Until next time!

P.S. If you have any Japanese friends, we have a Japanese fake food online store as well, which you can access from here: http://fakefoodjapan.net

Japanese Novelty: Food Sample Art a.k.a Fake Food

A sight that many people see upon their first encounter with Japan is the various food and drink menu samples such as the ones seen in the picture and video above that are normally displayed outside of the restaurants in showroom cases.

Unlike in the States and many other places in the world for that matter, the samples are a big help for not only foreigners but Japanese alike when determining where to stop by to satisfy one's appetite or quench one's thirst.  

With scalable models just as appetizing as the real thing, the plastic food/drink samples are truly works of art.  In addition, they are a great way to judge whether the restaurant/bar is worthy of your presence and cash as dust gathering and/or color faded samples are a good indication of the atmosphere and level of service on the inside.  

As Osaka is known as the food capital of Japan, it is fitting that there are several major food/drink sample manufacturers right here in town. One of those is Iwasaki, who has been in the sample manufacturing business for almost 80 years dating back to 1932.  Another is Morino Sample, which even offers 120 minute sample creation workshops to interested parties up to 50 people per day on the weekends.  

For those of you not ready to create your own menu item, you can always pay a visit to the Food Sample Art Gallery R&M conveniently located a few minutes away from the Takashimaya department store in the Namba district of Osaka.    

As a popular souvenir among visitors, if you are planning a trip to the "land of the rising sun" anytime soon, be sure to pick up a part of Japanese culture with a plastic food/drink sample of your choice.